AGAINST ALL ODDS

Complex trauma is defined as trauma that occurs during childhood and teenage years and seriously interferes with the developmental stages of an individual. Complex trauma is usually the result of polyvictimization (multiple forms of abuse like physical, sexual, and emotional), inflicted by so-called “care takers.” Survivors of complex trauma often experience a deep sense of betrayal, a loss of trust in humanity, and a sense of hopelessness and despair. Additionally, they struggle with managing their emotions and interpersonal relationships, and they tend to have an extremely poor self–concept. The defense mechanisms that were once useful to survivors of complex trauma during their childhood are both difficult to undo and often become serious hindrances in post-trauma life.

Freeing oneself from the chains of childhood abuse is the first and most courageous step to recovery; the second step is investing significant emotional labor into creating a post-trauma life. For these reasons and so many more, survivors deserve compassion, understanding, and support from the people around them—especially members of the medical, social services, and legal communities. However well-intended, members of these communities may have little professionalization in complex trauma, inadvertently risking re-traumatization of the people they endeavor to serve. Even worse, unintentional re-traumatization can create long-lasting and negative outcomes, thwarting a complex trauma survivor’s effort toward recovery.

Against all Odds: A Desperate Plea for Human Connection arose from the disconnect between the service community and the survivor community: it bridges the knowledge gap between survivors on their journey toward a post-trauma life and the people they encounter along the way. It is designed for all readers to better understand complex trauma and asks us to connect with complex trauma survivors with open-mindedness, compassion, and kindness.